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  Printer with platen support device for linerless media and associated methodUSPTO Application #: 20080095565Title: Printer with platen support device for linerless media and associated method Abstract: The present invention provides an improved printer and an associated platen support device and method for printing a linerless media. The platen support device, which is adapted for contacting an adhesive surface of a linerless media in a printer, includes support rails disposed proximate a platen roller. The platen roller is configured to rotate so that an outer surface of the roller engages the adhesive surface of the linerless media. The support rails are disposed proximate the ends of the roller and extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the platen roller to define a support surface for supporting the linerless media and preventing the media from wrapping around the platen roller. (end of abstract) Agent: Alston & Bird LLP - Charlotte, NC, US Inventor: Frank Ray USPTO Applicaton #: 20080095565 - Class: 400617 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080095565. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application is related to commonly owned copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/862,517, filed Oct. 23, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]This invention relates to electronic label printing, and more particularly relates to the electronic printing of linerless labels. [0004]2. Description of Related Art [0005]As with many other manufacturing pursuits, it is desirable to reduce the quantity of waste produced during label printing. Such waste reductions limit the negative environmental impact attributable to label printing processes and further reduce manufacturing costs. To this end, linerless labels were developed. Linerless labels are those labels that are printed and used without conventional release layers or liners. Liners are conventionally used to support pressure sensitive adhesive labels as they move through a printer. Liners protect the adhesive surface of the label from environmental contaminants and also reduce the incidence of printer binding or jamming due to undesired adhesion of the labels to various printer components. Unfortunately, however, liners account for considerable waste as they are necessarily discarded as the labels are used. [0006]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a linerless label printing process according to the known prior art. The depicted process is performed within a conventional thermal printer system 10. The printer system 10 includes a thermal print head 30, a platen drive roller 20, and a linerless label supply 12. The linerless label supply 12 includes a continuous web of linerless label media 15 that is coated on one surface 18 with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The opposite surface of the linerless label media 15 is a printable surface 16. One or more idler rollers 14 may be provided to guide the label media 15 along a feed path from the supply 12 to the platen roller 20. In some applications, spring loaded dancers, rollers, plates, rods, and the like (not shown) may be provided to maintain sufficient tension in the linerless label media 15. During one type of thermal printing, namely, thermal transfer printing, the printable surface 16 is configured to receive a pigment (e.g., resin, wax-resin, etc.) that is transferred from a ribbon supply (not shown). Alternatively, other types of printing can be used, such as direct thermal printing in which a thermal print head 30 directly contacts the printable surface 16 of the label, thus, triggering a chemical or physical change in a thermally sensitive dye covering at least a portion of the printable surface 16 of the label. [0007]In either thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing applications, the web of linerless label media 15 is routed along the feed path from the supply roll 12 to a print position located beneath the thermal print head 30. Idler rollers 14, spring biased dancers, and other similar devices may be provided to manipulate the linerless label media 15 through the printer. These devices are generally designed to contact only the printable surface 16 of the linerless label media 15 as shown, thereby reducing the likelihood that the idler rollers or other devices will adhere to the adhesive surface 18 of the label media. Any such adhesion may undesirably bind or jam the printer. [0008]The continuous web of linerless label media 15 is pulled through the printer system 10 by a platen roller 20 that is often powered by a stepper motor (not shown). Typically, the linerless label supply 12 is moderately biased to oppose the driving force produced by the platen roller 20. More particularly, the label supply 12 is generally biased to resist removal of the label media 15 from the label supply 12 by a fractioning device, clutch, or other similar mechanism (not shown). This bias maintains tension in the web of linerless label media 15 as it is pulled through the printer by the platen roller 20. Unlike idler rollers 14, the platen roller 20 is designed to contact the adhesive surface 18 of the linerless label media 15 as shown. To prevent adhesion between the platen roller 20 and the linerless label media 15, the platen roller 20 includes an adhesive release coating such as silicone, plasma coating, or other similar materials known in the art. [0009]In various prior art applications, the print head 30 is positioned immediately above the platen roller 20. In fact, the print head 30 is generally configured to pinch the linerless label 15 between the print head 30 and the apex of the platen roller 20 as shown. This pinching or compressive force provides adequate print quality and in some applications ensures that a sufficient tension is maintained along the continuous web of linerless label media 15. Once printed, the printed portion of the linerless label is advanced outwardly by the platen roller 20 to extend over a tear bar 35 in a removal position as shown. The printed linerless label remains cantilevered over the tear bar 35 until removed by a user. In some applications, a sensor is positioned adjacent the tear bar 35 to detect the removal of the printed linerless label. In the depicted application, the sensor is a light sensor including an emitter 32 and a receiver 34. The emitter transmits a beam of light upwardly toward the receiver 34, which is positioned generally adjacent the print head 30 as shown. If a printed label has been removed, the beam of light reaches the receiver 34. If the printed label has not been removed and remains in the removal position, the beam of light is blocked by the printed label. In this way, the printer processor may determine for subsequent print registration whether a printed label is awaiting removal or has already been removed. [0010]Relative to a conventional label media with a liner, the use of linerless label media as described above can reduce waste, manufacturing cost, and the need for removal and disposal of the liner by the user. However, the exposed adhesive surface of the linerless label media can undesirably adhere or stick to components of the printer, thereby complicating the operation of the printer. In particular, the adhesive surface of the linerless label media can adhere to the platen roller 20, the tear bar 35, and any other components that contact the adhesive surface, such as other rollers, dancers, plates, rods, and the like that are provided to guide the label media, apply tension to the media, or otherwise contact the media. For example, if the adhesive surface adheres to the platen roller 20 (or another roller in the printer) and is not released therefrom, the linerless label media can become wrapped around the roller, thereby jamming (and possibly damaging) the printer. Adhesion of the media to printer components or to itself can also increase the resistive load on the printer and/or foul the components or the media. Such excessive sticking of the linerless label media can result from normal use and can be exacerbated by certain operating conditions, such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, other environmental conditions, adhesive deposits, prolonged pauses in operation, and the like. [0011]Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved printer and platen support device for supporting linerless media along the feed path of a printer while reducing the likelihood of the media adhering to the printer components and wrapping around the platen roller or otherwise deviating from the feed path. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012]The present invention provides an improved platen support device for contacting an adhesive surface of a linerless media in a printer. According to one embodiment, the platen support device includes a platen roller and first and second support rails proximate thereto. The platen roller is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, e.g., to rotate and drive the linerless media along the feed path. The platen roller extends longitudinally in the direction of the axis between first and second ends. An outer surface defined by the platen roller is configured to engage the adhesive surface of the linerless media. Each of the support rails is disposed proximate a respective one of the ends of the platen roller, extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the platen roller, and defines a support surface for supporting the linerless media. [0013]The present invention also provides an associated linerless label printer for advancing a linerless media along a feed path through the printer and printing on a printable surface of the linerless media opposite an adhesive surface of the linerless media. The printer includes a print head disposed along the feed path and configured to print on the printable surface of the linerless media. A rotatable platen roller is configured to define a nip with the print head for receiving the linerless media. The platen roller extends longitudinally between first and second ends and defines an outer surface configured to engage the adhesive surface of the linerless media. A first support rail is disposed proximate the first end of the platen roller, and a second support rail is disposed proximate the second end of the platen roller. Each of the support rails extends longitudinally in the direction of the feed path and defines a stationary support surface for supporting the linerless media. A length of the platen roller between its first and second ends can be shorter than a width of the linerless media. The support surface of each support rail is configured to slidably support the media when the media is engaged to the platen roller and moving along the feed path. [0014]In one embodiment, each support rail extends longitudinally along the feed path to a face plate downstream of the platen roller such that the rails guide the media onto the face plate. One or both of the rails can be formed integrally with the face plate and/or adjustably mounted so that the distance between the support rails can be adjusted to accommodate various widths of media. Each support rail can define a tapering cross-sectional shape such that each support surface is an edge extending in the direction of the feed path. In some embodiments, the printer can also include other members or features for supporting the media, such as a flow device structured to provide a low-pressure flow that buoyantly supports the linerless media in a cantilevered orientation downstream of the platen roller, or a secondary roller or bumper disposed immediately downstream from the platen roller for dislodging the printed linerless from the platen roller. [0015]According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for operating a printer with a linerless media having a first side defining a printable surface and an opposite side defining an adhesive surface. A rotatable platen roller is provided along a feed path of the printer. First and second support rails are provided at the first and second ends, respectively, of the platen roller. Each support rail extends longitudinally in the direction of the feed path and defines a support surface for supporting the linerless media. The linerless media is advanced along the feed path so that the adhesive surface contacts an outer surface of the platen roller as opposite edges of the linerless media slide against the support surfaces. For example, the linerless media can be advanced through a nip defined between the rotatable platen roller and a print head so that the print head can print on the printable surface of the media. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) [0016]Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a linerless label printer according to the known prior art; [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a linerless media printer according to one embodiment of the invention, shown with the print head removed for illustrative clarity; [0019]FIGS. 3-6 are perspective views illustrating portions of the linerless media printer of FIG. 2; [0020]FIGS. 7-8 are elevation views partially illustrating the front of the linerless media printer of FIG. 2; Continue reading... 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